[A-List] Turks may enter Iraq

["bon moun" <sherrynstan@xxxxxxx>]

[Now the US will have done it.  It will either have to try and disarm
the Kurds, or it will let the Turks do it.  Stand by for the new
northern front... of Kurdish insurgents.  -SG]

Powell says Turkey weighs sending troops to Iraq

By George Gedda, Associated Press, 7/25/2003 03:21

WASHINGTON (AP) A U.S. request for the deployment of Turkish troops in
Iraq is receiving the ''most active consideration,'' Secretary of State
Colin Powell says.

Powell spoke to reporters Thursday after a luncheon meeting with Turkish
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

The comments of both diplomats suggested relations are on the upswing
after a falling out last March when Turkey rejected a U.S. request to
use its territory to open a northern front in the Iraq invasion.

Powell said the United States cherishes the relationship with Turkey
even though there are difficulties from time to time. Gul said Turkey
wants the two countries to work together to strengthen and deepen the
relationship.

''We are very much optimistic for the future for our relations,'' Gul
said.

Gen. John Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command, made the request
several days ago during a visit to Turkey. Press reports in Turkey said
Abizaid raised the possibility of a Turkish commitment of 10,000 troops.


With U.S. military manpower stretched thin, the United States is
negotiating with a number of countries in search of additional troops
for Iraq. It hopes to replace some U.S. units with non-U.S. troops.

At present, there are about 147,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 13,000
troops from other countries.

Gen. Richard Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told
senators Thursday the United States is applying ''a full court press''
for more foreign troops.

Myers said 19 nations have sent troops so far and 15 more have agreed to
do so, but the 20,000-to-30,000 force won't be enough to reduce the U.S.
presence in the near future.

''It needs to grow higher than that,'' Myers said, adding the United
States was negotiating with Pakistan, India and Turkey and may ask NATO
to supply troops. He later added, ''I'm very bullish in trying to get
international forces in.''

At the State Department, Powell said he appreciates Turkey's offers of
assistance for reconstruction and humanitarian relief in Iraq. He noted
that Turkey already is providing humanitarian aid and added that Turkish
businesses could benefit from reconstruction work in Iraq.